Slammers Coaches and Instructors

Our team of professional Coaches and instructors take pride in helping players of all ages and skill levels enhance their playing experience. Our goal is to provide every player a solid foundation to work from, as well as an understanding of the mechanics involved at each position. In addition, we want every player to have the opportunity to reach their maximum potential.

Billy Martin - President/COO

Billy Martin played 4 years at the University of Texas at Arlington. He was drafted in the 34th round by the New York Mets. Taken in the rule 5 draft by the Arizona Diamondbacks in 1999 and then sold to the Yakult Swallows of the Japanese Central league in 2003. He was later signed by the Washington Nationals for the 2005 season.

Billy was a 3 time minor league all-star with a career .285 avg. and 94 home runs. Billy played 8 years professionally at 4 positions(1B,3B,lNF,RF). Billy is now a owner, COO, and full time instructor/coach at Slammers. He specializes in hitting and fielding at all levels and works with youth pitchers as well. Billy has a bachelors degree in kinesiology from the University of Texas at Arlington and a MBA from CU Denver. Billy is also a certified National Strength and Conditioning(NSCA)personal trainer.

Billy is the president of Slammers North Baseball and currently an Associate Scout for theKansas City Royals.

Bryant Asnicar - General Manager

Bryant is a Colorado Native who attended J.K. Mullen High School as well as being one of the original Slammers High School players. He played for Slammers in the Summer and Fall and earned a scholarship to Regis University as a pitcher. He finished his career at Regis with the most games closed in school history and second in appearances.

Bryant played independent baseball in New York, Chicago, Texas and New Mexico and was an All Star in 2012. Bryant coached at Mullen High School for three seasons before joining Slammers in 2013, since then he has coached high school and youth teams. He specializes in pitching at all levels and runs the Slammers North Arm Velocity Program and works with youth palyers on hitting and fielding.

Byron Embry - High School Director

Slammers North Pitching/High School Director pitched 12 seasons in professional baseball for teams such as the Braves, Royals, and Mariners. Born and raised in Richmond, KY, Embry was drafted by the Oakland Athletics after his senior year at Madison Central High School. Declining to sign with Oakland, Byron attended powerhouse Indian Hills Community College in Iowa where he pitched in the National Junior College World Series for the Falcons in both 1996 and 1997. At the end of his sophomore campaign, Byron signed with the Atlanta Braves in May of 1997 and continued to play across the next 11 years before retiring from baseball in 2008.

Since 2001 Byron has worked with over 6,000 pitchers world-wide through a very detailed and comprehensive approach. Developing programs designed to train, educate, and develop pitchers of all ages and skill sets.

Byron is also an award-winning international keynote speaker who has been featured in a plethora of media and internet outlets all over the world. His appearance on TBN was captured by over 300 million viewers.

Byron currently resided in Colorado Springs, CO with his lovely wife Kelly and their 4 children.

Kevin Russo - Hitting/Fielding Director

Dave McDuffee (aka Coach Duff) - Youth Development Programs Director

Six years ago, I stepped onto a small soccer pitch. My then 4 year old son, Connor, was about to play in his first ever soccer “match.” Hoping to make certain that he had a good time, I had volunteered to coach his team…

Many more teams, and many more sports followed quickly afterwards for Connor and then for his sister, Calleigh. For me, coaching all of those teams, and more specifically, coaching all of the incredible young people on those teams, crystallized into what has become an absolute passion for me, and my life’s purpose… Positively impacting the lives of as many young people as possible through sports.

As I sought to pursue and master my new passion, I very quickly realized a few important concepts about coaching youth sports teams. 1) My experience as a golf professional would help me to recognize and teach kinetic body movements. 2) Being a meticulous organizer of details; and a clear communicator of those details to the entire team community was essential. 3) Creating positive experiences and environments is what the kids wanted most. 4) And lastly, I realized I had a LOT to learn if I hoped to become a Coach who truly could impact lives in the positive.

As I began reading about the current condition of youth sports, two graphics from Aspen Institute’s Project Play Initiative stuck with me most. The first described the current descending condition of the adult and profit driven youth sports model, and the second described the scientific proof behind why I believe active athletic participation should be an essential part of EVERY childhood.

As an adult trusted with the incredible privilege to work with youth athletes, the quotation that became my mission statement was authored by Rainer Martens, the famous sports psychologist who wrote the preeminent coaching textbook, Successful Coaching, as well as the curriculum for Michigan State’s Masters Programs in Coaching, Education, and Kiniesiology.

“Sport is like a double-edged sword. Swung in the right direction, the sword can have tremendously positive effects, but swung in the wrong direction it can be devastating. The sword is held by the adults who supervise children’s sports. Whether sports is constructive or destructive in the psychological development of young children greatly depends on the values, education, and skills of those adults.”

I have taken these famous and inspirational words to heart, in the hopes of swinging Mr. Marten’s proverbial sword in the right direction. Thank you so much for your support, trust, and friendship.

Greg Golson

Marco Gonzalez

Marco is an Arvada native and a graduate from Wheat Ridge High School in 2002. He was a multi-sport athlete lettering in cross country, basketball, baseball, and track. After high school, Marco went on to play baseball at Chandler Gilbert CC in Arizona before transferring to Oral Roberts University in Oklahoma. In 2006, Marco signed a professional contract with the St Louis Cardinals. He spent four years in the Cardinals farm system reaching AAA in 2009. After a four year stint with the Cardinals, Marco played three more seasons of Independent ball in the American Association finishing a championship season with the Gary Southshore Railcats in 2013. Over a seven year professional career, Marcopitched over 300 innings in 260 appearances. Marco has spent the last four years coaching at the youth and high school levels.

Earl Loseke

Colton Little

Bob Bote

Connor Beer

Bryan Hodge

Michael Crockett

Mike Crockett

Justin Pierce

Jake Palmer

Originally from Montrose Colorado, moved to Denver to play Baseball at Metropolitan State College of Denver on a full ride scholarship as a catcher. Was a four year starter for metro as an outfielder. Finished up his career with many accolades such as 3-time all-conference outfielder, 2-time all-region outfielder, and a member of the 2008 Division 2 Rawlings All-American team.

Jake lead the nation in RBIs his senior year with 89. Finished his career with an overall BA. of .373 drove in 207 RBIs and hit 30 homeruns. Graduated from Metro with a major in Sports Industry Operations and a minor in management. Signed to play with the Evansville Otters of the Frontier Baseball League.

Levi Tapia

Levi Tapia was drafted in the 38th rd by the Boston Red Sox and was a 2005 graduate of Ralston Valley where he was a All State Catcher. He played three seasons of professional baseball. Levi currently coaches in the Slammers High School Program and is one of our lead catching instrucotrs. Levi also instructs on fielding and hitting.

Ed Toledo

Taylor Monjo

Mike Loeske

Marcus Loseke

Danny Bote

Robby Bales

Robby Bales joined the Slammers North team in 2017. Bales brings over 12 years of coaching and instructional experience at the College and High School level and is recognized a top hitting instructor in the area.

Coach Bales currently serves as an Assistant Coach at Colorado School of Mines primarily working with infielders and hitters. In two seasons at Mines the team has finished with the best record in program history and two second place finishes in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference. In 2017 the Orediggers finished as a national top 5 Division 2 team offensively while also setting the top mark for Infield fielding percentage in the RMAC.

In 2015 Bales served as Head Coach at Ralston Valley High School (Arvada CO.) where he lead the Mustangs to their best season since 2010 winning the 5A Jeffco League Tournament Championship.

From 2010 to 2014 Bales was the Head Coach at Thomas Jefferson High School (Denver CO.) Where he piloted the Spartans to three Denver Prep League titles and was named Coach of the Year in 2011. While serving as Head Coach at TJ Bales coached Colorado Rockies 1st round draft pick and current Rockies Left handed starter Kyle Freeland as well as Rawlings All-American Evan Walter. Bales also lead his summer program to two Connie Mack State Titles and has also been a part of the Mile-High Collegiate Baseball League for five seasons, serving as Head Coach of the Denver Titans.

From 2006 to 2010 Bales served as the Recruiting Coordinator and Head Assistant Coach at Colorado Northwestern Community College, where he was the architect of three of the best recruiting classes in school history, and was recognized as the Scenic West Athletic Conference Assistant Coach of the year in 2007.

Bales began his coaching career at Grand Junction High School and helped lead the Tigers to the 2005 CHSAA 5A State Title, while also running the Western Slope Golden Eagles fall and summer travel programs.

Bales is a native of Magna Utah where he was selected as an All State shortstop at Hillcrest High School, He Went on to play at Colorado Northwestern CC and Cuesta College and was selected to the Scenic West all Sophomore team. He went on to sign as a free agent with the Anaheim Angels before injuries cut his career short. Bales Currently resides in Westminster with his wife Anna and is a proud father of a son (Dillon) and two daughters (Taylor and Torre).